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Few Barcelona meals are fairly as legendary as calçots. Not solely are these distinctive, seasonal veggies indisputably scrumptious, however they’re additionally a logo of Catalan tradition and have impressed the custom of calçotadas, a sort of calçot-themed BBQ.

I’ve talked about calçots just a few occasions on my Barcelona meals excursions, however on this article, I’ll dive somewhat deeper into these treasured treats. Along with offering private experiences and ideas, I’ll reply all of the ceaselessly requested questions on calçots and element the perfect locations to get pleasure from them!

What Are Calçots—and What Is a Calçotada?

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A calçots is a particular sort of inexperienced onion or scallion. Though they develop in varied components of the world, they’re most carefully related to Catalonia. They’re gentle in taste and just like typical inexperienced onions, although they are typically a tad sweeter and juicier.

Calçots season usually lasts from November to April, although January to March is the perfect time to immerse your self on this Catalan custom. When you’re in Barcelona in January, you’ll even have a possibility to attend the Gran Fiesta de la Calçotada, an annual calçotada pageant in Valls.

In brief, a calçotada is a calçot BBQ, the place these well-known onions are entrance and heart. Extra than simply your common grill-out, calçotadas are all about group and tucking into freshly cooked calçots with tangy romesco sauce. Most of the time, the calçots are additionally accompanied by wine and different regional dishes.

Historical past and Origins of Calçots

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Calçots have been a delicacy in Catalonia for the reason that latter finish of the nineteenth century, after they had been found in Valls. 

Because the story goes, a farmer known as Xat de Benaiges was experimenting with cultivation methods. He determined to cowl these spring onions with an increasing number of soil as they grew, in a course of known as ‘calçar.’

Catalans quickly fell in love with the calçots that resulted, a lot in order that shared eating experiences centering round them turned considerably of a ritual. By the Nineteen Eighties, these developed into large-scale occasions. By the early 2000s, calçots had achieved Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) standing.

How Calçots Are Ready and Eaten

When ready within the conventional method, calçots are cooked over a charcoal grill till the stems are virtually fully blackened. They’re then wrapped in newspaper and served with a romesco sauce, also called salvitxada, a daring sauce constituted of peppers, tomato, garlic, almonds, and olive oil.

After the calçots are left to relaxation for a couple of minutes, they’ll be able to eat. Begin by peeling away the charred outer layer and dipping the stalk into the sauce earlier than tilting your head and reducing the onion into your mouth.

Conventional calçotada menus will even embrace a spread of different culinary favorites, from botifarra sausage and grilled meats to wealthy crema Catalana and chilled cava.

The place to Eat Calçots in Barcelona: Greatest Eating places and Masías

3 Focs

Picture credit score: 3 Focs

3 Focs is a brilliant fashionable eatery that gives distinctive service and genuine Catalonian flavors. I used to be lucky to go to in the course of the calçot season, and immediately fell in love with their delicate taste and the way it contrasted with the zingy romesco sauce. When you don’t have a reservation, I recommend coming for lunch slightly than dinner.

3 Focs – 08007 Barcelona – Open day-after-day from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Fonda Can Portell

Picture credit score: Fonda Can Portell

For a traditional Calçotada expertise, I can’t advocate the cozy, brick-clad eating space at Fonda Can Portell sufficient. Together with the tender calçots, my pals and I feasted on grassy grilled lamb and velvety cream Catalana, which collectively made for the proper night meal.

Fonda Can Portell – 08014 Barcelona – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and each Friday and Saturday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Can Cortada

Picture credit score: Can Cortada

Can Cortada is ready in a masía, an expansive country-style manor with an elegant, old-world vibe. They provide an beautiful calçotada menu in probably the most conventional of environment. I recommend arriving right here hungry to completely recognize the beneficiant servings of subtly candy calçots, savory botifarra, and succulent grilled rooster!

Can Cortada – 08035 Barcelona – Open each Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm, closed each Tuesday.

Can Travi Nou

Picture credit score: Can Travi Nou

I uncovered a few of the most interesting calçots in Barcelona at Can Travi Nou, a conventional restaurant inside a country but stylish farmhouse. They had been so gentle and paired so completely with the punchy romesco sauce. Whereas I used to be impressed by the entire dishes that adopted, the calçots most undoubtedly stole the present.

Can Travi Nou – 08035 Barcelona – Closed each Monday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and each Sunday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm.

The place to Purchase Recent Calçots in Barcelona

If you wish to replenish on recent calçots in Barcelona and check out your hand at making ready them and romesco sauce your self, there are many locations to do exactly that. Under are a few of the prime markets and locations to purchase calçots.

• Mercat de Santa Caterina: This buzzing spot has all of the necessities for a calçot-filled feast.
• Mercat de la Terra: Generally known as the gradual meals market, this weekly affair is a unbelievable place for recent produce, together with calçots after they’re in season.
• Europa Barbacoa: Safe a BBQ rental with tables and chairs and cook dinner up your individual calçots on this bustling out of doors eatery.

Ideas for Planning Your Calçot Expertise

• Calçots are seasonal greens obtainable from November to April, so it’s important to plan accordingly to your spring or winter go to to Catalonia.
• Peak season for calçots in Barcelona runs from late January to early March. Throughout this time, advance reserving is a should.
• Look out for experiences with a non-public tour information to get a greater understanding of the importance of calçots in Barcelona.
• When selecting your tour or calçotada expertise, think about those who incorporate different native favorites and calçotada staples, comparable to crema Catalana or cava glowing wine.
• Consuming calçots in Barcelona is usually a slightly messy encounter, so it’s finest to keep away from carrying your most interesting apparel!

Bonus: Day Journey to Valls – The Coronary heart of Calçotada Tradition

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Valls, situated only one hour from Barcelona, is the place the calçotada traditions started. Lately, it’s the house of the Gran Fiesta de la Calçotada, an annual celebration of those fabled inexperienced onions that takes place each January. You’ll discover all the things from calçot-eating contests and grower awards to mouthwatering road BBQs at this beloved occasion.

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals information: What & the place to eat in Barcelona. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/

3 Focs. (n.d.). 3 Focs restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://3focs.com/en/

Fonda Can Portell. (n.d.). Fonda Can Portell. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.fondacanportell.cat/

Can Cortada. (n.d.). Can Cortada restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://cancortada.com/en/

Can Travi Nou. (n.d.). Can Travi Nou restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://cantravinou.com/es/

Mercat de Santa Caterina. (n.d.). Mercat de Santa Caterina. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://mercatsantacaterina.com/

Mercat de la Terra. (n.d.). Mercat de la Terra Barcelona. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://mercatdelaterra.barcelona/El País+1Cadena SER+1

Europa Barbacoa. (n.d.). Europa Barbacoa. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from http://www.europabarbacoa.es/Vogue+3WIRED+3El País+3